Faith@Work Fellowship
through
Asia Seminary for Ministry
(Seminary without borders)
Reaching Nationals for Nationals
October, 2014
Hi friend,
Training Nationals for Nationals
in integrity and skills
(Psalm 78:72)
Nepal Mission Trip September 5-12, 2014
(Report by Rev. Yap Beng Shin)
John Ching and I arrived at Kathmandu on Friday, September 5. This was my second trip this year. Dr Goh Seng Fong was under the weather and I took over his place. On Saturday, we were scheduled to preach separately at two churches. I went to Ps. Saroj’s church. Ps. Saroj was the principal of Himalayan Bible Study Academy in East Nepal. He came back to care for his sickly sister who had a hole in her heart, suffered from kidney failure and also had undergone mastectomy. His aged mother was unable to undertake this task and the burden fell on his shoulder who survived on a meagre salary.
We set off from Kathmandu to Godavari Asyram to begin our modules on Leadership (taught by John) and Big Picture Bible Study Method (taught by me). There were three pastors who attended this course 6 years ago when 3 John was used. So I decided to use 2 John this time. There were 10 new church leaders attending, and 45 others. They enjoyed the opportunity to fellowship with one another. I could see the joy and laughter as they got together, which they could not have except for Asia Seminary for Ministry. Their lodging and food were fully taken care of during these 5 days of training. Class participation was very good. Many still need more practices on how to determine the main theme of the text. This training offered me the opportunity to relook on how to make this course easier and more effective, especially on how to determine the main theme section. I also took the opportunity to do a survey on the effectiveness of this Big Picture Bible Study method which was designed for the 3rd World Leaders. I need this for my Doctor of Ministry dissertation.
A Chinese brother from Beijing joined us for this training. After the first day he immediately wanted to arrange for me to teach in a Bible College there. We are planning a trip next year. He will be joining me for my coming mission trip to China (Sept 22-29). Several participants are principals of Bible colleges. Together with some pastors, they are already using this method in their ministry. One pastor shared how he used the Precept coloring method to teach the book of Genesis for older folks and received very good feedback. Others incorporated this into their teaching curriculum. It is a great joy to see how this has helped them in their personal study, preaching and teaching ministry.
The next two ASM trainings will be next March and September. More than 20 of them will be graduating in September with Master of Ministry degree. This will be the second batch of graduates and I am eagerly looking forward to seeing them receiving their certificates.
All glory to God!
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Medan, Indonesia Training Sessions
June 23-27:
Mr Ding Yew Soong trained in Leadership Laws while Rev. Andrew Tan taught First Epistle of Peter. Mr Ding trains leaders in Indonesia and thus he is familiar with Indonesians. Rev. Andrew Tan is completing his PhD program with his dissertation pending.
September15-19:
Mr Goh Lay Guan, a retired secondary school principal helped with the CE program, teaching Laws of the Learner. He is also helping Pastor Haposan in the running of the school. Mr Tan Thiam Hong trained in Expository Preaching. He is completing his Doctoral in Ministry program with his dissertation pending. We praise the good Lord for committed trainers.
November 17-21:
Mr. Ding Yew Soong and Rev. Mark Tay will be with our great students in this November session. Mr Ding will train in Leadership skills. Rev. Mark will teach on how to interpret prophecies in these end times. Please pray for them.
Rev. Haposan is our point man, interpreter and administrator in Medan. We are using the church and school facilities for the training. At present, funds are needed to build facilities for the college and primary and secondary schools. Also funds are needed to build trainers’ quarters for our trainers to stay. The buildings have reached fifth floor. Plastering work, water sealant and ceramic flooring are needed to be done. Please pray and ask the good Lord how to partner with this great ministry.
Myanmar Training (with a fellowship of 30 churches)
January 22-28:
The Spiritual Convention was well attended by a fellowship of 30 churches. One of the churches had its 25th Anniversary celebration. Rev. James is our point-man.
November 6-13:
Pastors workshop. Once a year, the pastors and leaders gather for a training time. Some are working towards a Master degree offered by Mandalay Bible Seminary. We help as adjunct trainers. A team will be helping this November. The training will be held in NE Myanmar. Also one church will have its 25th Anniversary celebration.
January 23-25, 2015:
Spiritual Convention in Yangon. The pastors, leaders and members gather once a year for a feast of great Bible preaching and wonderful fellowship and encouragement. We are praying for a great team from Singapore to celebrate with our brethren in Christ in Myanmar. Please pray, plan accordingly and do let us know.
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Laid aside. I must apologise for not up-dating more frequently because the good Lord set me aside with prostate cancer. (Praise the wonderful Lord for trusted fellow-laborers who step into the gaps to train Nationals.) Cancer is not a life-sentence and the good Lord brought me through the months of check-ups, tests and radiation treatments. There will be follow-up check-ups and a hormone jab once every three months for two-and-a- half years. My times are in God’s loving and mighty Hands and He decides and provides.
Praise the good Lord for the great many of you all around the world that are journeying with me in prayers and with many varied helps. You have made the journey easier. Thank you so very much! The good Lord bless you and all yours. (Heb 6:10) “ For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
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| PIX 1&2: MEDAN-Almost finished: A building housing a college, a secondary & a primary school |
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| PIX 3: Nepal - an ASM class |
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| PIX 4: Big Picture Study Method (2 John) as used by Rev.Yap |
